Manchester United blew a two-goal lead at Tottenham to draw 2-2; in response to weariness worries, Erik ten Hag says his team has the worst schedule in the league but that he cannot use that as an excuse for poor performances.
“You have to take that. You can’t use it as an excuse. The time is enough time to recover, so our players are in demand to be ready. Today they were not ready.”
“After half time there was a difference, we lost control because we are not all secure. Then you have to go into the fight. When you lose the battles, don’t have possession and don’t have chances you concede goals. That’s what happened. Then you have to be satisfied and take that point.
“You have to give [100 per cent] in every occasion, every game. And as a team, you have to manage the game, get the win, and that makes everyone happy and satisfied.
“But the basis is always to give everything, and that’s how you have to prepare as a player, that you are ready for the game, for the battle, for the fight.”
Just four days after his team played 120 minutes plus penalties to win Brighton in the FA Cup semi-final, United lead 2-0 against Spurs thanks to first-half goals from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford. However, that lead was short-lived as goals from Pedro Porro and Heung-Min Son leveled the score.
Ten Hag also defended his substitutions when United was leading 2-1 and looking to extend their lead. Anthony Martial, Fred, Wout Weghorst, and Tyrell Malacia all came on as United attempted to finish the game.